Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe team up to speak out on Margaret Court controversy

An issue away from the on-court action was the talk of the Australian Open overnight as two tennis legends joined forces to speak out on a major issue. 

On the court, Queensland-born Barty moved a step closer to ending Australia’s 42-year wait for a home singles winner. 

Sportsmail’s tennis correspondent Mike Dickson rounds up some of the things you may have missed from Tuesday in Melbourne. 

The Margaret Court issue at the Australian Open refuses to go away with Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe joining forces, much to the annoyance of tournament organisers. 

After her ‘legends’ doubles match Navratilova took to the umpires’ chair to address an admittedly tiny crowd on Melbourne Park’s fourth largest arena, only to have the television feed cut off as she was hitting her stride. 

‘I’ve been speaking out about an issue for a while now and John McEnroe is here to join me and push the conversation forward…’ she said before the transmission ended. 

John McEnroe joined Navratilova to push for the Margaret Court Arena to be renamed

Rod Laver presents Margaret Court with a replica trophy 50 years since her grand slam win

The muted Martina was then joined by McEnroe to unfurl a banner saying ‘Evonne Goolagong Arena.’ 

Navratilova has long since objected to Court having the Margaret Court Arena named after her, due to her homophobic opinions on LGBT issues, and wants it to be named after the former Australian star of Aboriginal heritage.

She has published an open letter in support of her view, saying of Court’s opinions: ‘It’s hateful and hurtful speech and it’s injurious to countless vulnerable people. Why not pick someone whom every child can look up to and want to emulate – a champion who inspires and motivates young and old to do their best and be their best every day?’ 

A spokersperson for Eurosport said it was not their decision to cut the transmission but that of Tennis Australia. Meanwhile, after the low-key presentation to mark the 50th anniversary of her winning all four Majors on Monday night, Court was back watching the tennis on nearby Rod Laver Arena.

Top seed Ash Barty moved to within two victories of becoming the first home female singles winner in 42 years when she knocked out last year’s beaten finalist Petra Kvitova 7-6 6-2. 

In the semi-finals she will meet 21-year-old American Sofia Kenin, conqueror of Coco Gauff, after she ended the surprise run of Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur with a 6-4 6-4 victory. 

Barty’s face adorns countless posters and advertising around Melbourne, and she cheerfully admitted that she has been trying to ignore seeing images of herself all over the place: ‘My team do a good job at taking the piss a little bit, sending me some of the photos,’ she said. ‘ You just have to have fun with it. That’s the only way.

‘I’ve been on-site quite a bit, not really going for leisurely strolls around Melbourne. When I have an hour or two, it’s more just going back to the apartment and spending time with family. That’s about it.’

Ash Barty defeated Petra Kvitova in straight sets much to the delight of the home crowd

Barty hugs last year’s Australia Open finalist Kvitova following her straight sets victory

Putney’s Joe Salisbury is through to the semi-finals of the men’s doubles with American partner Rajeev Ram after taking out the strong team of Henri Kontinen and Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 6-4. 

It is Salisbury’s second time in the last four after Wimbledon 2018. They now meet Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik and Mikhail Kukushkin for a place in the final. 

Arbroath’s Jonny O’ Mara and partner Marcelo Arevalo from El Salvador lost in the quarter finals, 6-3 6-2 to Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek. 

Joe Salisbury (right) and Rajeev Ram (left) progressed to the semi-finals of the men’s doubles